There are plenty of reviews of chargers to be found with a simple Google search.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Solar-Charger-Reviews

4.
Posted bykarazyal(Travel Guru 1832 posts) 47w
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Solar charger?

Are you planning on living out in the woods somewhere? Or maybe going on a camping trip?

Overseas I can't think of any hotel I have been in that did not have electricity. I plug my chargers into the outlet and charge my phone and computer. For some countries I have a cheap snap-on plug adapter for the charger if the plug end is different.

5.
Posted byjoker696969(Budding Member 14 posts) 47w
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i go camping in the uk but am off to aus in hostels n thought a quality one me be benofficial

6.
Posted byCheersT(Travel Guru 2570 posts) 47w
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I would think a solar charger is a waste of space. A small power bank may be useful, more for peace of mind if you're a long day in transit without access to power. Virtually all accommodation will have power points - the only place that's been a pain in Australia was a couple of YHA hostels which made a point of having no power sockets in the bedrooms. Forcing everyone to grab a quick charge while watching over their devices in a public area.

Joker, solar chargers have their uses in some situations. However, you might want to consider taking a 'step back' and looking at how likely it is that you will find yourself in such a situation.

Some people contemplating travel try to cover every possible eventuality. The old Boy Scout motto of 'Be Prepared' is their guiding thought. The problem is that it can't be done for everything OR the 'cost' of providing for an eventuality is far higher than the probability of needing to do so.

You can't pack stuff for every eventuality. Even packing your entire household goods wouldn't cover everything. Do you have a tuxedo you plan to pack? If not, why not? There is a regular travel forum poster who insists he always packs clothing suitable for 'crashing Embassy parties'.

I suggest you plan for what will be most common 90% plus of the time and don't worry about the other possibilities. There are many ways to deal with the unexpected if it happens, including renting a tuxedo.

Given the way you seem to be thinking, I would ask you what you plan to carry your 'stuff' in as that may be a very telling answer. Let me make this statement for you to consider. You need NO more 'stuff' for 3 years than you need for 3 days of travel. And this statement, the ultimate traveller travels with the most comfort and the least weight.

I would suggest that if you are planning to spend even a year in Australian hostels, you should only be looking at a bag of 30-45L in size and a weight loaded of under 25lbs. total. If you start with that criteria and then see what you can FIT into it, you will quickly figure out that a solar charger for a highly unlikely 'what if' scenario won't make the cut.

9.
Posted byberner256(Moderator 841 posts) 47w
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You're unlikely to need a solar charger in Australia, unless you are camping for extended periods, particularly in remote areas where there are no readily available sources of power.

If you're determined to get one, here's a link to a company that makes some: http://www.goalzero.com/storywall/index.html?product=11803

I often travel in areas where there are no reliable sources of power; and in some areas where there is none. So I carry extra camera batteries, since photography is important to me. A power bank also might be useful for recharging mobile phones; but I don't carry one, since it adds extra weight. Plus, in some developing countries, such as Ethiopia, phone-recharging services are available, particularly on market days in the countryside.

In a pinch, you can also recharge batteries using an adapter that fits into a vehicle's cigarette lighter. So there are options.

10.
Posted byjoker696969(Budding Member 14 posts) 47w
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hi n thanks for the responce's was thinking a power bank i currently have a 4500mah power bank was thinking something bigger or a solar charger as i have a 7 inch tablet that will need to be kept charged . oldpro im going to look at a backpack tomorrow a lowe alpine airzone 35-45 and i know what you mean you cant have everything for every eventiality but last thing i need is my tablet or phone going flat youu can probably guess this is my first time back packing but i like to think i got most things covered